CELEBREX (pronounced sell'-uh-brex) is for relief of the pain and inflammation of OA and adult RA and was introduced in the United States in early 1999. Since then, millions of CELEBREX prescriptions have been written, making it the #1 selling brand of prescription arthritis medication. By effectively reducing the pain, inflammation and stiffness of arthritis, CELEBREX can help you through the day with activities like standing, walking or climbing stairs, and through the night while sitting or lying in bed.

Who should I talk to if I have questions about CELEBREX?

We know that reading this factual booklet can never take the place of talks between you and your doctor or other healthcare professional (nurse, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or pharmacist). Please be sure to talk to your doctor or other healthcare professional about any questions you have about CELEBREX. Only your doctor can assess the benefits and risks to decide if CELEBREX is right for you.

How might CELEBREX help me?

CELEBREX is a prescription medicine that delivers powerful relief of pain and inflammation caused by osteoarthritis and adult rheumatoid arthritis.

CELEBREX:

Effectively reduces the pain, inflammation and stiffness associated with arthritis

Can help you through the day with activities like standing, walking or climbing stairs

And can help through the night while sitting or lying in bed

How does CELEBREX work?

In the body, 2 enzymes are called COX-1 and COX-2. COX-1 helps regulate normal cell function in the stomach and blood. COX-2 plays a role in causing arthritis pain and inflammation. CELEBREX is a scientific breakthrough—the first product to target only the COX-2 enzyme.

Clinical trials have proven that CELEBREX is effective at reducing arthritis pain, inflammation and stiffness. It's also effective for the relief of pain and inflammation of one of the most severe forms of arthritis, RA.

What conditions would prevent me from taking CELEBREX?

You should not take CELEBREX in late pregnancy or if you have allergic reactions, such as asthma, to aspirin, other arthritis medicines or certain sulfa drugs called sulfonamides.

What else should I tell my doctor?

You should tell your doctor about your complete medical history. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver problems, or are pregnant.

What are the most common side effects of CELEBREX?

CELEBREX has been extensively studied in large clinical trials. The most common side effects were indigestion, diarrhea and abdominal pain. In rare cases, serious stomach problems, such as bleeding, can occur without warning. The percentage of patients who stopped taking CELEBREX due to all side effects (7.1%) was similar to sugar pill (6.1%).

If you think you are having an allergic reaction or if you have other severe or unusual symptoms while taking CELEBREX, call your doctor or other healthcare professional immediately.

Can I take CELEBREX if I am taking other medicines?

If you take CELEBREX with certain other medicines, they may affect or interact with one another. Be sure to tell your doctor or other healthcare professional about all prescription and nonprescription medicines you're taking.

If you are one of the many people who takes low-dose aspirin for the prevention of heart attack or stroke, you can still take CELEBREX. However, taking CELEBREX and aspirin together can increase your risk for developing stomach ulcers compared to taking CELEBREX alone. CELEBREX is not a substitute for aspirin for heart attack or stroke prevention.

Has CELEBREX been extensively tested and widely used?

CELEBREX was tested in over 50 clinical trials involving more than 13,000 study participants. Study participants ranged in age from 18 to 93 years old.

And since its introduction, more than 17 million prescriptions for CELEBREX have been written. That represents an average of over 55,000 prescriptions per day — making it the #1 selling brand of arthritis prescription medication.